My desk is essentially wherever I can go with my laptop—and get my best writing done. When I want to write lots of words in one day, up to 5,000, I leave my house with the never-ending laundry and other chores to do and go to the mall. Lloyd Center to be exact, in Portland, Oregon. I hate to shop, so it’s the perfect place for me.
The lighting, even when it’s raining, is great with the high glass ceiling above. Coffee and lunch are nearby. And for some reason I’m inspired by being around people I don’t have to interact with.
I settle into one of the wingback chairs on the third floor where the Internet is really slow. It means no getting lost on a research trail, no checking email, and no Facebook. It means I write—until my word count is met. Then I get to go home.
My latest novel, Courting Cate, released November 1. It’s a retelling of “The Taming of the Shrew” and the first in my Courtships of Lancaster County series.
In Paradise, Pennsylvania, Cate Miller is known more for her sharp tongue and fiery temper than her striking appearance. Her sweet and flirty sister, Betsy, on the other hand, seems to have attracted most of the bachelors in Lancaster County! But the sisters’ wealthy father has made one hard-and-fast rule: older Cate must marry first, before younger Betsy can do so.
Leslie Gould is the award-winning author of fifteen novels, including the #1 bestseller and Christy Award winner The Amish Midwife, co-written with Mindy Starns Clark. Leslie’s novel Beyond the Blue was the winner of the Romantic Times Book Club Magazine’s Reviewer’s Choice Award for Best Inspirational Novel in 2006. Her newest release is Courting Cate, a retelling of the “Taming of the Shrew.”
Leslie received her master of fine arts in creative writing from Portland State University in 2009 and has taught fiction as an adjunct professor at Multnomah University. She, her husband, Peter, and their four children live in Portland, Oregon. Visit her at www.lesliegould.com.
That was fascinating. It looks like a lovely place to write. I just finished reading the Amish Bride and really enjoyed it as I do all your books. Looking forward to reading more by you. Blessings, Susan Fryman
Wow. I would never have thought to go to the mall. I love Lloyd Center! I’m afraid I would not be able to resist the urge to shop! I always writing at home, but recently tried going to a coffee shop and I did like that. Thanks for the new idea!
Interesting post!
No mall for me, maybe up in the loft of the barn? Nothing would bother me there, well, maybe an ocassional bird or the noise from animals below.
It would have to get above the delightful 28 degrees we have today on Sunrise Ridge, where I live, though!
I really liked “Courting Cate” and am looking forward to meeting up with more Shakespearian/Amish stories from Kate Lloyd.
I loved hearing your personal writing story. I decided I don’t pick public places big enough when I go to write. Once I left all six kids at 6am to go write. Opened computer, put in ear plugs and refused to make eye contact with anybody. Didn’t work. Only very lonely old people are at Starbucks at 6am and people kept talking to me.
Will keep trying…